Mental patients' knowledge of in-hospital rights.

ABSTRACT

The authors questioned 52 recently admitted patients about formally receiving information regarding patients' rights and about their knowledge of that information. Of the 13 day hospital patients, 12 recalled being given the information, but only 20 of 39 inpatients recalled receiving the information. Most patients, irrespective of their diagnosis or legal status, knew their rights. Surprisingly, comparison with a group of patients who did not receive information on their rights revealed no relationship between receiving this information and knowledge of patients' rights. On the basis of these and other findings, the authors discuss some difficulties with presentation of patients' rights and offer recommendations.